Gaza Crisis Complicates Obama's Policy In Mideast

CRAWFORD, Texas — The deaths of hundreds of Palestinians in Israel's deadliest-ever air assault on Hamas further complicate President-elect Barack Obama's challenge to achieve a Middle East peace _ something that eluded both the Bush and Clinton administrations.

The Bush administration has blamed the renewed violence on the militant Islamic group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, saying it broke a cease-fire by firing rockets and mortars deep into Israeli territory. The Arab world, however, has reacted with rage to the aggressive Israeli counterattacks, which have left at least 290 Palestinians dead and more than 600 wounded.

It's unclear whether Obama will be as supportive of Israel as President George W. Bush has been.

David Axelrod, senior adviser to Obama, chose his words carefully Sunday, saying the president-elect would honor the "important bond" between the United States and Israel.

"He wants to be a constructive force in helping to bring about the peace and security that both the Israelis and the Palestinians want and deserve," Axelrod said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "Obviously, this situation has become even more complicated in the last couple of days and weeks. As Hamas began its shelling, Israel responded. But it's something that he's committed to."

Pressed about how much support Obama will offer Israel, Axelrod said: "He's going to work closely with the Israelis. They're a great ally of ours, the most important ally in the region. ... But he will do so in a way that will promote the cause of peace, and work closely with the Israelis and the Palestinians on that _ toward that objective."

Israel had been carrying out its attack exclusively from the air, but the Israeli Cabinet has authorized the military to call up 6,500 reserve soldiers for a possible ground invasion.

"I'm not sure it's a good idea," Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said Sunday on ABC's "This Week." "I mean, Israel certainly has the right to self-defense, of course. Hamas has not recognized Israel's right to exist. ... But I'm hopeful that as this transition comes, as we look to January, that strong presidential leadership can make a difference here."

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Jon Alterman, head of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, speculated that Israeli leaders synchronized their retaliatory attacks to political calendars in both Israel and the U.S. More moderate politicians running in the Feb. 10 national election needed to appear strong against Hamas, and it was perhaps better to strike before Bush left office on Jan. 20 because they weren't as sure what Obama's reaction would be.

"I think Obama will be supportive of Israel, but will bring a little more skepticism to it," Alterman said. "I think Obama will start from premise that Israel is an ally, but that we have to look at this fresh."

The White House was mum about the situation in Gaza on Sunday after speaking out strongly on Saturday. The Bush administration condemned the repeated rocket and mortar attacks against Israel and said it held Hamas responsible for breaking a cease-fire. The U.S. implored Israel to avoid civilian casualties and asked all concerned to address the urgent humanitarian needs of innocent people in Gaza.

Bush, who is staying at his Texas ranch, spoke on the phone with national security adviser Stephen Hadley to receive an update on the situation and was being kept abreast of developments throughout the day, said Gordon Johndroe, a presidential spokesman. He said Bush would receive an intelligence briefing via a secured video hookup at the ranch early Monday morning and would be briefed then on any overnight developments.

According to an aide on Obama's transition team, the president-elect, who is in Hawaii, continues to closely monitor global events, including the situation in Gaza. He had an intelligence briefing Sunday and plans to talk with his incoming national security adviser, Gen. James Jones, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, his nominee for secretary of state.

The aide said Obama appreciates the information the Bush administration is sharing with him. The aide requested anonymity because the Obama team is refraining from comment, saying the U.S. has only one president at a time.

When Hamas took control of Gaza in June 2007, it fractured governance of the Palestinian territory. The other part, the West Bank, is controlled by moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The renewed violence increases the volatility of an already unstable area.

"It undoubtedly will have a very severe impact on wherever the next administration would like to go," Ed Abington, a former American diplomat who advises Abbas, said in an interview. "You can't kill almost 300 Palestinians and wound 600 to 700 and not have repercussions in the region."

"I don't quite know where the Israelis want to end up," he added, saying that trying to bomb Hamas into submission only rekindles radicalization. Abington said Israel's retaliatory attacks weaken, not strengthen, the stature of Abbas, who is backed by the West.

Alterman said, however, that if Hamas is weakened by the bombings in Gaza, Abbas' position could be emboldened. "It's possible to imagine that he could emerge as some sort of broker who saves Gaza from an Israeli onslaught," Alterman said.

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Associated Press writers Ibrahim Barzak and Amy Teibel in Gaza City and Philip Elliott in Honolulu contributed to this report.

Comments

[Petitjo]

There is a heading that say that"Gaza crisis complicates Obama's policy in mideast" correction , its Israel that is complicating anybody's policy in the mideast. By killing hundreds of palestinians and using the US to go along , and accept Israel policy in Gaza, what would stop them to occupy the city and probably kill some more. The US is at fault and should have all dead and injured on their conscience. It takes one word from the US to its puppet to stop the massacre.

[yorkville7]

we need a person to come along and point out the real problem in our country and run for president america is ready to call a spade a spade

[Nisheeth]

`Yes we can' is now `Yes, we did'. We have changed from Bush to Obama. Don't think the Palestinians notice anything different, though.

[jdenham]

As far as I know Obama has not been sworn in yet. As far as I am concerned this is President Bush's problem at least for the next 22 or so days. Maybe Bush should stop his legacy tour and get on the phone and tell Condi to get back to work. Bush is paid to be President until Jan 20th so maybe he should earn his money for once. Obama can not do a damn thing until he becomes President.

[NotMcCain]

This has obviously happened with Bush's COMPLETE APPROVAL and support.

Every day he finds new ways to add to the problems Obama will face. What's next? A new military offensive in Iraq? A last minute attack on Iran (either by the U.S. or by Israel)?


22 Days and counting....

[harriscrl3]

I'm so tired of people speculating about Obama I can't wait for them to EAT CROW cause many of htem will since they all have different stories about what obama is going to do.

Can we stop it and focus on WHAT IS BUSH DOING NOW that the problem is happening so that it can be mitigated.

Carol

[JamesEastwood]

That Sherrod Brown quote makes him sound like he could be in the eighth grade...

[texasrodeoqueen]

Wasn't it the Bush/GOP plan to leave things just as F****d up as possible for Obama? Musta been!

[Avembe]

Mideast mess, Economy mess, Wars(afghan and Iraq) messes, i mean....(is there any other mess i forgot?)
Wow Obama!!!WTF were you thinking when you decided to run for that thing????????

[texasrodeoqueen]

yeah, you forgot our roads, bridges, dams and energy grids
you forgot the poverty, crime and violence in the USA
you forgot failing education and health care systems
but, as long as we focus on the possibility of WW3, we won't think about such things, right?

[NotMcCain]

Don't forget all the incompetent political appointees that Bush has given civil service jobs to. Nothing screws up better than having incompetent ideologues who oppose you in key government positions.


22 Days and counting...

[stell]

Maybe I'm missing something, but how does this complicate Obama's policy in the Middle East?
Aside from saying that he'd be willing to talk to Iran, Obama's policy is no different than Bush's. If there's violence Palestinians are to blame right?

[rasit]

It's the Hamas to blame this time....

[NotMcCain]

Massive (basically unprovoked) killings by Israel (clearly with the U.S. approval and support--not to mention weaponry) stirs up a great deal more anti-Americaniism and makes Obama's actions all the more suspect--on both sides.

[roybattyjunior]

Rahm Emmanuel, Obama's Chief of Staff is a former Israel Defense Forces volunteer. David Axelrod, Jewish and one of Emmanuel's closest friends, is the chief architect of Obama's election victory:

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0715/p01s04-uspo.html

These two are not only his closest handlers, they have been greatly responsible for creating the successful mythos of Obama. It can be inferred that Barry will display a clear pro-Israel bias in his Mideast policy.

[rasit]

Another disgruntled Republican?? BTW, Obama picks people based on their ability, leadership quality, and intellect....not on religion, race etc. OK!!

[ghostofgrrrl]

I'm really over these "anonymous" leaks.
Wake me up when real people want to start really talking.

[vjoseph]

Right on

[Seral]

The current situation suggests Obama is no different than Bush when it comes to Middle East. That means, as long as it doesn't affect a single American life, the politics do not care what happens to the innocent. So, to prepare for the worst, it may be better to cross the word "change" regarding Obama's policies. Well, I was aware of that before the election, but there are still some who are disillusioned by that word. So, please, wake up!

Also, it is not only him, that is not capable of making a sound judgment. Where are the other members of the future administration? I understand Obama is inexperienced hence he cannot throw himself into danger. But, he can at least sacrifice someone to make some point, especially if he does not want to lose support from the people who openly supports Israeli politics, with nothing to hold back.

[vjoseph]

Yeah, an AP story should totally be taken as faith. Whatever